Manufacturing

Chilliwack’s manufacturing sector is relatively diversified, with firms engaged in forestry and agriculture product manufacturing as well as a variety of both resource and non-resource based production. The leading sub-sectors include wood, food processing, metal fabrication and machinery-equipment. Value-added wood processors are a growing presence in Chilliwack despite the fact that primary wood processing is shrinking elsewhere in the province. Convenient access to a regional timber and lumber supply base and a long history of involvement in the forest sector have allowed area remanufacturers to take advantage of their proximity to prime and growing Pacific Northwest markets.

NEW MANUFACTURERS
Over the past five years, Chilliwack’s manufacturing sector has expanded with companies like Langley Concrete Group, Sonic Drill Corporation, Bar None Metal Works, and Tidy Steel setting up new plants in the community.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
The manufacturing sector employs 8,000 workers and generates more than $1.8B in shipments and $618M in value-added manufacturing. The spending on materials and wages is the main means of support for other economic sectors such as retail and services.
This sector is destined for growth as the City actively promotes new business development and supports the growth of existing manufacturing businesses. Also as the population of Chilliwack increases, opportunities for new businesses and investment will expand.

ATTRACTION
The attraction of Chilliwack for manufacturing enterprises is obvious:
• an available, serviced and reasonablypriced industrial land base in close proximity to Cascadia markets.
• an excellent multi-modal transportation system that provides access to regional and world-wide markets.
• a state-of-the-art $21M UFV Trades and Technology Centre at Canada Education Park provides skilled employees.
• Chilliwack School District (SD #33) provides work experience and apprenticeship programs.
• a well-educated workforce.
• an attractive lifestyle.
These factors broaden Chilliwack’s appeal to manufacturers being squeezed out of more costly areas of Metro Vancouver.

EMPLOYMENT
Almost 10% of the local labour force is employed in the manufacturing sector, which is marginally greater than the provincial average. This accounts for about 2,000 jobs. The biggest employers are involved in primary or value-added wood processing, construction materials, technology, and agricultural products.